Google's Acquisitions in 2012 (So Far)

Google maintains its role as one of the biggest curators of knowledge by acquiring smaller businesses. Here's a look at the six companies the search giant has snapped up so far in 2012.

Google maintains its role as one of the biggest curators of knowledge by acquiring smaller businesses. Here's a look at the six companies the search giant has snapped up so far in 2012.

Milk:Kevin Rose created Milk, Inc. in 2011. Milk was a mobile app startup known primarily for Oink, which allowed users to rate everything from food to amusement park rides and share those ratings with their friends.DATE: March 20 / PRICE: Rumored $15 million

Meebo:This instant messaging and online advertising company made headlines when it announced it was to be acquired by Google, which shut down most of its products and folded its employees’ expertise into the Google Plus team. DATE: June 4 / PRICE: $100 million

Quickoffice:The integration of Quickoffice's - a mobile productivity suite - technology and technical savvy into Google Docs could prove important in the long term. DATE: June 5 / PRICE: Undisclosed

Sparrow:Google buying an app maker known for its work on iOS and OS X? You bet! The creators of a well-known email client for the Apple ecosystem are now helping to improve Gmail. DATE: July 20 / PRICE: $25 million, according to the Verge

Wildfire:Google has most recently acquired social media marketing software company Wildfire for a reported $350 million. The search giant’s likely goal is to buttress its existing search ad business by adding a social aspect. DATE: July 31 / PRICE: $350 million, according to TechCrunch

Source: Network World (US)

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